Xabi Alonso departs on a mutual agreement after leading Real Madrid for seven months

Real Madrid has announced Xabi Alonso’s immediate departure after the Super Cup loss, with Alvaro Arbeloa stepping in as his successor.

Xabi Alonso has departed from his position as head coach of Real Madrid effective immediately, following a tenure of only seven months, as confirmed by the club.

The Spanish giants confirmed Alonso’s exit on Monday, following their loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final held in Saudi Arabia. Real Madrid announced that the decision was made through mutual agreement.

Alvaro Arbeloa, having taken the helm of Real Madrid’s B team in June 2025 and dedicated the past six years to the academy, has now been named as Alonso’s successor.

Alonso departs with Real Madrid positioned second in the LaLiga standings, trailing leaders Barcelona by four points at the season’s midpoint. The club currently holds the seventh position in the Champions League table, having secured victories in 4 out of their 6 matches, with 2 losses recorded.

Although his tenure was brief, Alonso achieved the highest win percentage of any Real Madrid head coach in the last ten years, securing 71 percent of victories during the 2025 to 26 season. That return positions him above the recent managerial tenures of Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane.

Real Madrid announced in a statement that the club has mutually agreed to part ways with Alonso, who had a notable playing career at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The statement expressed: “Xabi Alonso will forever hold the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans, as he is a Real Madrid legend who has consistently embodied the values of our club.” Real Madrid will forever be his home.

“We extend our gratitude to Alonso and his entire technical team for their hard work and commitment during this period, and we wish them all the best in this new chapter of their lives.”